I am Catholic, but frankly I think most Catholics are anti-American and unpatriotic. They pounce on American imperfections while ignoring the glaring faults of foreign despots. Sometimes I think the Church as an institution resents American influence in the world and believes that God cannot work through nations but only through itself.
2007-12-20 07:47:50 · 16 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, within reason.
Catholics cannot be the "my country right or wrong" kind of patriot.
Christianity does not have authority over the civil authority. But God does have authority of Christians.
Christians reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.
However the citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel.
We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2240-2242: http://www.nccbuscc.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2.htm#2240
With love in Christ.
2007-12-22 16:50:55 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, one can be a patriotic American as well as a loyal Catholic.
You seem to be overlooking the wisdom from the ol' adage, "Think globally, and act locally."
Yes, there are plenty of countries in the world that are worse places to be than America. But America is not without it's horridly misguided moral faults.
America has institutionalized abortions. American society incourages all sorts of promiscuous behavior and, in some places, even legalized same-sex marriges and civil unions. America's Culture of Death advocates euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. America is a good place but things like what I have just mentioned are holding this country back.
The Truth is, America's secular culture is widely popular throughout the world, and some of it flies in the face of Catholic Moral teaching. For this reason, the Vatican is weary of American culture - rightly so, I might add.
It's not unpatriotic to acknowledge one's own nation's faults, and work to correct these things in an effort to make a fundimentally good country even better.
Yes, there is plenty of work to be done in dealing with the world's despots - and there are Catholics actively working these problems out. However, this does not mean there can't also be, or shouldn't be, Catholics working to better the "home front" as well.
Your sweeping generalization of Catholics is grossly misinformed, as are all generalizations.
2007-12-21 03:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can be a patriotic Catholic. People are human beings with all the faults and quirks as anybody else regardless of what denomination they belong to. I know alot of patriotic Catholics who served in the military and are in public service even now so I think its stereotypical to pose a question like that. How did you come to the conclusion that its MOST and not just FEW? Btw I'm not Catholic but ur lamequestion leads me to think ur animrod.
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Sweetie
2007-12-20 07:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Šωèé†íé♥ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Um, I'm Catholic and I am Not anti-American. I can be patriotic and am proud to live in the US.
OTOH, The current administration I am not proud of, nor did I vote for them.
The Church as an Institution does not represent American influences throughout the world. Not sure where you got that from.
I would re-think what you have asked and do research before jumping to conclusions.
2007-12-20 07:53:44 · answer #4 · answered by skurka 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm Catholic and patriotic. America is one of if not the best country in the world.
2007-12-21 02:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course, you can be a patriotic Catholic. The Church does want us to think beyond our borders. We are encouraged to pray and donate to the less fortunate here and abroad. But, I have never felt that we are not to be patriotic.
2007-12-20 07:56:41 · answer #6 · answered by karen wonderful 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Huh. I suppose the four generations of my Catholic family who served both in war time and peace were just totally un-American.
And have you ever heard anything Father K has to say? If he's unpatriotic, I'd hate to see someone who is patriotic. Because he seems pretty sincere.
2007-12-20 08:05:40 · answer #7 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can be a patriotic Catholic. There is no reason you can't be. The similar question "Can you be a wiccan AND a christian?" is one that I sense in my friends so much. The answer, again, is yes. There is nothing stopping you from what you do or think. Don't go on with every other Catholic out there. :]
2007-12-20 07:52:00 · answer #8 · answered by Rose Willow 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
of course you can and should be a patriotic Catholic. If you are a Catholic, then you haven't been going to Mass recently or something because we always pray for our country and always pray for our troups without any diatribes against the policies. I think you are not Catholic but, are trying to stir up trouble towards Catholicism.
2007-12-20 07:55:37 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think you are right there,any serious catholic is to give their first allegiance to 'mother church'-it was partly because of this that the U.S. severed all diplomatic links with the Vatican back in 1860's and only recently renewed them under Reagan in 1980's.
2007-12-20 07:58:12 · answer #10 · answered by Wonderwall 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋